Sam Gelston Shines In New Album 'See Through You'
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
There is a growing divide in independent music between artists chasing professional polish and those embracing the unpredictable nature of creation. On See Through Now, Boston songwriter Sam Gelston plants his flag firmly in the latter camp.
Recorded largely outside the traditional studio environment, the album carries the immediacy of a first draft while maintaining enough structure to keep listeners engaged. Gelston doesn't attempt to hide the mechanics behind the songs. Vocals strain and guitars that occasionally feel fragile like the melancholic voice that accompanies it.
What separates See Through Now from many lo-fi releases is that the rawness never feels like an aesthetic choice alone. The production serves the material. These songs deal with uncertainty, and personal upheaval, and the lack of polish reinforces those themes rather than distracting from them.
Musically, the record occupies an intriguing space between alternative rock and folk songwriting. There are echoes of classic singer-songwriter traditions like Jeff Buckley or Elliot Smith, but Gelston filters those influences through a modern lens that feels personal rather than nostalgic. The arrangements remain lean, allowing the emotional core of each song to take center stage.
"See Through Now is a retrospective of my life up to this point. Every song is its own little life and death while trying to hold onto a sense of absurdism. Things are strange, life is strange, I'm strange, and so are you. The important thing is remembering the peaks and valleys while realizing the world is still in front of you," Sam Gelston comments on the release.
The album's sequencing also deserves recognition. Each track contributes a different perspective while maintaining a consistent atmosphere. Moments of humor prevent the heavier themes from becoming overwhelming, while darker passages provide weight and consequence when needed.
In an era where technology makes perfection increasingly accessible, See Through Now stands out because it refuses to pursue it. The album's greatest achievement is turning vulnerability into a creative strength, resulting in a record that feels refreshingly alive from beginning to end.
